Astrolocality Astrology: A Guide to What it is and How to Use it

Martin Davis

An excellent book suitable for astrologers of all levels, now in its revised form. Martin is highly regarded in this area of astrology, and he gives clear explanations at every stage, so that by the end of the book the reader is able to understand and interpret the sophisticated techniques of ACG and Local Space for themselves.

Welcome to the revised and updated version of Astrolocality Astrology. In the 15 years since the original version was published, the world has shrunk and computer software has dramatically improved. It is now easier than ever to access astro-mapping software and so quite literally seek out the best places for holiday, work, relationships – you name it. This revised edition includes the fascinating case histories of Edward Snowden and Ronnie Biggs, and it is also organised in a more reader-friendly format. Enjoy.

An eBook version is available through the usual online sellers: iBooks, Nook, Googlebooks and Amazon

In the course of his work as an engineer, business consultant and sportsman, Martin Davis has travelled widely and lived in many different countries. He is a well known lecturer and practitioner in the area of locational astrology and his energy and enthusiasm for it have encouraged many others to investigate the subject further. Martin’s books Astrolocality Astrology: A Guide to What it is and How to use it, and From Here to There: An Astrologer’s Guide to Astromapping are on the reading list for many astrology schools and are highly regarded as important tools for understanding this fascinating technique.

Astrolocality Astrology: A Guide to What it is and How to Use it by Martin Davis, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd., 4A Woodside Road, Bournemouth, BH5 2AZ England, 2014. Softcover 182pp $15.99 (£13) (ISBN 9781902405933).

Available from any online bookseller.

This is a revised version of Martin Davis’s classic book on locational astrology published in 1999. Astrolocality Astrology offers a complete explanation and demonstration of techniques that relate to our experience of place. The two primary methods are Astro*Carto*GraphyTM (ACG), the groundbreaking technique developed by Jim l.ewis, and Local Space (LS) maps, initially conceived (and programmed) by Michael Erlewine. ACG maps, undoubtedly familiar to many readers, are comprised of 40 lines (that pair the ten planets and four angles).

Davis describes the structure of the map, piece by piece, affording the reader a deep understanding of this popular tool for finding one’s place in the world.

The author provides a similarly thorough description of the theory and technique behind LS charts and maps. LS, which is similar to Feng Shui, describes directional alignments on Earth related to planetary pathways, which are determined from one’s birthplace (or from a relocated place). In practice, LS and ACG can be used together, with LS fine-tuning the ACG maps. A further distinction is combining LS and ACG, which leads to what the author calls “destiny points” or “bi-parans”, another fascinating application. A third technique, the Geodetic chart, is explained as well, with admirable clarity about the chart’s meaning and use. All of these techniques are demonstrated with many examples of mundane maps and events, including several from the author’s life, which has featured lots of traveling and living in various locations.

This is a beautifully produced book, with nearly 80 charts and maps, an Index, footnotes, and extensive Appendices that contain essays by pioneers in the field. The new material in this – “prompted by the deeper knowledge that time and experience bestow” and edited for “a more comprehensive flow of ideas” – includes case histories of fugitives Edward Snowden and Ronnie Biggs.

The content of this wonderful astrology book is innovative and brilliantly explained. If you missed it the first time around (or even in 20 14 when this edition was published), scoop it up now to add an invaluable resource to your library.

Reviewed by Carole Taylor for the Astrological Association Journal, December 2014

This is a revised and updated version of an already interesting and informative book, originally published in 1999. In the intervening years astromapping software has become increasingly sophisticated and mainstream, putting this material literally on the map, and it is in no small part thanks to the work of Martin Davis that these techniques have become so widely known and used. As Nicholas Campion observes in his Introductory Comment, ancient astrologers paid a great deal of attention to horizon, landscape and geography as earthly reflections of celestial phenomena; Astro*Carto*Graphy and Local Space techniques are an important missing piece of the jigsaw which together “restore the divinatory link between time and space. He goes on to say: “Martin Davis’ eloquent exposition of both techniques provides a comprehensive and welcome account of one of the most significant developments in modern astrology.’

lt is a view with which I completely agree and I am encouraged to see this book being republished – it is exciting to see this material updated and reissued for a new generation of astrologers to take up the happy task of integrating the astrology of place into their work.

The reader could not be in better hands, Davis having studied, practised, taught and lectured extensively on astrolocality techniques for 25 years. The book covers Astro*Carto*Graphy and Local Space, pioneered by the late Jim Lewis and by Michael Erlewine respectively, to whom Davis pays homage in the Preface of the book. Both of these techniques are fully explained, using chart examples and showing step-by-step how to apply them in practice, with notes on how to combine information from both ACG and LS. There is a distinct focus on Local Space, which merits three chapters covering first the basics, then Local Space charts and maps, and thirdly Local Space as astrological ‘feng shui’, applying the technique to home or office space, or to one’s local area. There follows a chapter on Geodetics, the technique of mapping the zodiac onto the Earth’s Equator, with 0 degrees Aries coinciding with the Greenwich Meridian, such that each zodiac sign of 30 degrees becomes associated with a 30-degree segment of the Earth. It’s an intriguing (and relatively ancient) concept – as the author points out. The Taurus Mountains in Turkey are located around 30 degrees East of Greenwich, thus coinciding with 0 degrees Taurus on the Geodetic world map! The geodetic picture is completed with the addition of lines across the map which track the rising degree associated with the position of the meridian at each location on Earth, thus giving each location a specific geodetic signature and, with these fixed rising and Midheaven degrees for any location, it is possible to construct a geodetic chart by inserting one’s own planets which shows, as Davis explains, what the earth does to us at a given location.

Finally there are several appendices with useful cook book interpretations for planets on ACG lines (by Jeff Jawer), Local Space directions (Michael Erlewine) and Local Space Lines in the house (Angel Thompson), plus additional articles by Michael Erlewine and the author on various aspects of Local Space, making this book a combination of experienced voices.

Although astrolocality techniques can be initially a challenge to understand and master, the effort is well-rewarded, and this book is a must-have for anyone who is interested in learning and using them. The book is well organised and the techniques clearly explained, with two brand new chart examples, that of Edward Snowden and Ronnie Biggs, to provide additional illustration.

In sum, this is a well-researched book from an expert in this branch of astrological practice, whose knowledge is rooted in extensive client work and teaching, not to mention extensive

Until recently, astrology has generally focussed on when events take place rather than where. In today’s world, however, people frequently travel, relocate, and connect to places far from their birthplace. Now, with the advent of widely available computer software, new techniques enable the astrologer to understand how specific places around the globe rnight be extra advantageous to the native-or, contrarily, full of trouble. The best known of these techniques is Jim Lewis’ Astro*Carto*Graphy, and we also have Local Space lines as devised by Michael Erlewine.

In 1999, astrologer Martin Davis wrote about these two techniques and went one step further by combining them. His book on the subject, Astrolocality Astrology, became a ground-breaking text for anyone interested in exploring the “where” of astrology. Now, Davis has added new material, reorganized the text from simple to complex, and is publishing it as the second edition of Astrolocality Astrology.

In order to take full advantage of this book, one will need some sophisticated astrology calculation software that includes the ability to create A*C*G maps and Local Space maps. To my knowledge, this list includes, but may not be limited to, the top-line programs from Matrix, Cosmic Patterns, Solar Fire, Halloran, and Janus. If you don’t own any of these programs but are interested in how your natal horoscope can be projected to anywhere on Earth, Davis’ book is the premier introduction to the subject.

The author explains Astrolocality in a nutshell: “Space-oriented techniques tell us not only what to expect on earth at certain locations or in particular directions, but also why the people or things embodying these events are coming to us from specific points or directions on the earth.” Chapter One is a definitive exploration of A*C*G maps. Davis has moved around quite a bit himself, and he uses his own case history to flesh out the relevance of this technique. Later in the chapter, more advanced techniques based on A*C*G maps are added, including the importance of where lines cross (parans), and Cyclo*Carto*Graphy, which plots transits and progressions onto maps.

Chapters Two and Three are all about Local Space, what it is, and how to interpret the lines. What makes Astrolocality Astrology a classic is that the author has researched everything that has ever been written on the subject, distilled the information, and given credit where credit is due. In addition to Michael Erl ewine and Jim Lewis , readers will find references to Arielle Guttman, Nicholas Campion, Robert Hand, Jeff Jawer, Karen Hamaker-Zondag, Steve Cozzi, Maritha Pottenger, and many more. These astrologers have all written about either A*C*G maps or Local Space, and the bibliography section provides sources for further reading.

Unlike the wavy and crisscross lines found in A*C*G maps, Local Space lines radiate outward from wherever you are currently located. This unique technique shows a direction that you might want to take. For example, if you want action, you check your Mars line and travel in that direction. Love can be found along your Venus line. Davis uses the example of Edward Snowden to show how Local Space works in practice. He also rectifies the chart of Ronnie Biggs, who participated in the Great Train Robbery of 1963. Biggs had an adventurous trek across the globe while trying to elude extradition. Davis intuitively saw that Uranus would be a major indicator in Biggs’ A*C*G and Local Space maps, and this led him to what appears to be a very accurate birth time.

The perspective of Local Space maps can be altered: if you zoom in to a Local Space map of your city, you can find action or love within a short drive. Or, zoom in further to your house and the Local Space map becomes a Feng Shui map. Chapter Four describes how to make these charts and, in what he calls “special studies,” investigates the Local Space map of the U.S. horoscope. His personal choice to demonstrate this technique is based on a speculative U.S. chart, and interested researchers might want to try the technique on their own favourite U.S. horoscope.

The last chapter on Geodetic charts is likewise speculative. The geodetic chart he uses starts by projecting the zodiac onto the global map with 0′ Aries going through Greenwich. The natal chart is then combined with this geodetic map to produce a geodetic chart. He uses the example of Krishamurti to show why this guru’s favourite place in the world was Ojai, California.

The seven appendices alone are worth the price of this book. Appendix 1 through 3 detail the meanings of the planets in A*C*G and Local Space maps (written by Jeff Jawer, Michael Erlewine, and Angel Thompson). Michael Erlewine’s original articles on Local Space are included as Appendix 4, and Martin Davis adds his insights on Pluto and other technical considerations about Local Space. If you have any interest at all in the “where” of astrology, Astrolocality Astrology is the best entrance point.

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At The Wessex Astrologer we take great pride in the quality and diversity of the books we publish and the fact that we are the European distributors for the wonderful magazine that is The Mountain Astrologer. Read More